The Labour form book: David Miliband 

With the Brown premiership on the ropes, Coffee House takes a look at those who might succeed him as party leader.  In the run-up to the Labour Party conference this weekend, we'll be profiling each of the main contenders.  And, once we've got through them, we'll give you the chance to vote on which one you think would be the best for Labour.  We kick things off with the bookies' favourite...

David Miliband, 43, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Pros

Youth: According to the "Milibama" strategy, Miliband's youthful vim and vigour will go some way to rejuvenating the Labour project itself.  At the very least, it offers a stark contrast to the dour and puritinical Brown.

Knows policy: Miliband was appointed Tony Blair's Head of Policy in 1994, becoming the Head of the Prime Minister's Policy Unit in 1997 - so the implication is that there are few inside the Labour party who understand both policy and the New Labour project better than him.  His time as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also means that he should be up to speed with the "green economy" agenda.

Already the figurehead of a movement: For years now, Miliband has been the Great Blairite Hope - Tony Blair's own apprentice, who would eventually triumph over Gordon Brown (and/or Ed Balls) to spread Blairism throughout the land.  In truth, the label probably overplays his Blairite leanings.  But it's stuck nonetheless and ensured that he has a ready-made support base of right-leaning Labour figures.
 
Not a centraliser: Miliband's "double devolution" agenda could steal some of the Tories' thunder on localism.  Again, another area in which he offers a stark contrast to Brown.

Cons

His strengths are also his weaknesses: The Blairite support behind him?  That's off-putting to the left of the party, which will need to be courted by any potential leadership contender.  His youthful vim and vigour?  That's potentially off-putting to the general public, who may prefer to see a political veteran at the helm of the country as we sail further into choppy economic waters.

Leadership climb-downs: A number of Labour figures were disappointed when Miliband didn't stand against Brown in the May 2007 Labour leadership "contest".  And that disappointment may well have been compounded by the almost complete climb-down that he seems to have performed since writing his "statement of intent" Guardian op-ed back in July (an example quote, from the past few days: "I don't support [the rebels'] argument that we should trigger a leadership contest. I've said I expect Gordon to lead us into the next general election. I will support him in doing so.")  Even his allies must be thinking: does he have the bottle?

Tainted by association with Brown: Despite his surface Blairite credentials, Miliband has still filled one of the "Big Four" positions since the inception of the Brown government.  His recent climb-downs and messages of support for Brown will only reinforce the impression that he is a member of the old guard, rather than a driver for change.

Performance as Foreign Secretary: Many would argue that Miliband's hardly done a good job over the past year.  His delayed response to the Georgia crisis, his less-than-inspiring speech at the 2007 Labour Party conference - these are, for many, the defining moments of his time as Foreign Secretary.

MP for South Shields since June 2001

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
June 2007 – Present

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs                   
May 2006 – June 2007

Minister of State for Communities and Local Government 
May 2005- May 2006

Cabinet Office Minister
December 2004 – May 2005

Minister of State for School Standards
June 2002- December 2004

Swing required to unseat 

20.4% from Labour to Lib Dem, or 21.57% from Labour to Conservative

Major rebellions
None